Just saw this myself and was going to post it. Sad news. Good or BAD as his movies may have been, we loved them. Good night TOM LAUGHLIN.

Tom Laughlin, Star of ‘Billy Jack,’ Dead at 82Filmmaker Tom Laughlin, who shot to fame as the rugged half-breed action hero “Billy Jack,” died Thursday in Thousand Oaks, Calif., surrounded by his family. He was 82 years old.

While involved at one point with just about every facet of the film business, Laughlin may be best known for his series of “Billy Jack” films. He has been married to Delores Taylor since 1954, and she co-produced and acted in all four of the “Billy Jack” movies.

In addition to acting, he was a producer, director and screenwriter, and drew attention for a groundbreaking promotion and release campaign on 1974′s “The Trial of Billy Jack” that included TV trailers during national news and an “opening day” nationwide release that helped shape the future of film distribution...

I remember seeing Billy Jack in the theatres back in the very early 70's, as we went with the youth group my parents had. They were a bunch of mid-late teen hippies coming down from the 60's and transitioning to the 70's. They were all a bunch of good kids though. more importantly, like the rest of you, I too thrilled to the exploits of our favorite half-Indian, half Irish Green Beret who fought for justice with his hands and feet as well as his trusty old M-1 Garand. Rest in peace, Mr. Laughlin, and thanks for the great movies.

I have never seen any of his work aside from the first Billy Jack (1971) movie. And while I thought that film was horribly bad, like all good bad movies, I couldn't help but sit through it laughing at how silly that it was. I just have a thing for hippies, especially when they get stuck it to by The Man!